They aren’t thinking of it in terms of increasing responsibility. That is the cost of the decisions they are making, but it’s not the benefit. Each of the things you mentioned have clear benefits (pay raise, biological drive, altruism). They are simply making decisions about when the benefits outweigh the costs.

As long as you feel you want to avoid responsibilities, please do so in a responsible way. Use condoms every time, and don’t get involved with a person who wants children. Be a good support-player at work so your manager doesn’t have to be a bitch (they still might, in which case support your coworkers). And contribute in low-effort ways like donating an occasional pint of blood if you’re eligible, or offering to put someone else’s cart away at the grocery store. Just being a decent person is enough.

There are a ton of negative comments on here, but i think the reality is: people value different things.

When you have certain values you will sacrifice certain things to practice those values/achieve those goals.

Some people value charity work because helping the community and people makes them feel good–even if it’s more work on their plate.

Some people sacrifice their personal lives to achieve a career goal. Sometimes that’s for financial reasons, sometimes that’s for ego reasons, sometimes it’s “meeting a challenge”.

Some people will sacrifice their career to have less stress or focus on their family. Some people value their hobbies, relationships, personal interests to the point where they’ll pick jobs that let them focus on those things–even if those jobs don’t pay as well, even if they aren’t “progressing” up the ladder.

And for what it’s worth, your values (may) shift over time. I never wanted kids for the longest time. Then I did.

I valued career progression for ego and financial reasons–and now, that’s shifted.

I sacrificed spending time with my friends when I had my kid, but now I am putting a lot of effort into those friendships because I value them and that requires work. That means I didn’t take a job offer that would have paid more, so I would have time for my family and friends.

I value those things more at this point.

I value my time playing computer games, so I sacrifice my sleep so I can do that. :)

Mate, I’d definitely prefer loose leaf tea but can’t be arsed with the extra hassle

There are dozens of us

I had a buddy, and we talked in great detail about this. I chase challenges, and am always looking for the next big puzzle to muddle my way through. He chased freedom. He just wanted to be who he was and spend his time how he wanted.

My point is people are motivated by different things. Find your thing and pursue it. Don’t worry what anyone else is doing. You don’t answer to them, and they’re not any happier than you.

Some people are like dogs: they want to be useful & helpful.

Some people are like cats: they want to sleep 16 hours a day & meow loudly at 3am.